Fireproof-floor construction



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. s

FRANCIS OMEIS, CF MOULTRIEVILLE-SOUTH CAROLIA.

FlREPROOF-FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters AIPatentNo. 594,705,vdated November 30, 1897.

Application filed May 14, 1897. Serial No. 636,429. (No model.)

l To all whom t may-concerm' Be it known that I, FRANCIS OMEIs,of Moultrieville,in the county of Charleston and State of South Carolina, have invented a new and Improved Fireproof -Floor Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in a method of covering iloor-beams of steel buildings for flreproof purposes and methods of constructing the floors and ceilings for the same.

Reference is to b'e had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure lis a perspective view showing a section of the iioor and the supporting-beams covered according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation through one of the floorbeams, showing the reproofing and the manner of attaching the same and the auxiliary beams to the main beams. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2, showing one ofthe auxiliary beamsembedded within the concrete of the iioor. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except that a special ceiling construction is also shown. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 in Fig. 4, showing the auxiliary beam and the structure of its hanger; and Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the manner of attaching the rods F, hereinafter described, to the floorbeams.

The object of my invention is to provide a method for attaching reproof covering to floor-beams of steel. buildings, and also for constructing the floor and ceiling in the said buildings.

One of the points secured by my invention is that all of the partsare suspended from the beams and thus do away with the side thrust incident to the ordinary terra-cotta construction. To this end the floor and ceiling, as well as the fireproof tiles covering the main beams, are suspended from the beams, and the arch principle used in the usual terracotta construction is omitted.

In the drawings, A' represents certain floorbeams, and Athe cross-beams, which divide the floor-space up into panels. These beams proof material,which prevents excessive heating in case of fire and damage to the beams by water coming in direct contact therewith when heated. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, these beams are provided with tiles D, each covering one side of the beam. These tiles are provided with shoulders cl, resting upon the lower flange of the beam. The lower end ofthe tileD extends below the bottom of the beam and has the'inner surfaces of this extension inclined inward, so as to form a Wedgeshaped space between the tiles on each side of the beam. Each tile is also provided with a rod D2, extending longitudinally of the same. The .rod D'fa has another rod D connected to it and extending upward through the body of the tile, projecting at its upper end sufficiently to enable the rod to pass over the top of the beam and be hooked over the upper opposite edge or flange of the beam, as is shown at d. In this way the tile is suspended from the beam and transmits no side thrust to the beam.

The space between the lower extension of the tiles and beneath the beam is filled by a tile G. This tile G and the tiles D are further locked to each other by means of a plate g, which consists of a bar of thin metal placed. horizontally and engaging both of the tiles. This metal strip may be embedded in one of the tiles and enter a slot in the other, or simply enter a slot in both tiles. It is, however, preferred that this bar should be embedded in one of the tiles. Aswshown in the drawings, the vtile D does not extend to the upper edge of the beams A Af. The space between the upper edge of the tile and the upper line of the fireproofing is filled by the concrete flooring DS when the same is put in place.

Hangers C are provided which extend over 'the top of the beam. These hangers are formed as a link, their ends being bent downward at 'right angles and adapted to receive in the stirrup formed thereby one end of an auxiliary beam B. This beam is shown in section in Figs. 3 and 5, andconsists of two plates'B, which are of a concave section and are fastened with their concave backs toward each other. The two plates B may be fas# tened to each other Withoutthe interposition are usually covered with some form of fire-- of another, if desired, as shown in the drawings. VHowever, a third plate B2, which is flat, is interposed between the two plates B. The plates are then securely riveted together. The beams B are also provided with a series of holes b, passing through their central web. The ends of the beams are supported upon the hangers C upon the beams A, which are at right angles to the beams A.

Hangers are provided for the beams A, consisting of straps E, which are dat bars having one end e bent so as to hook over one edge of the iiange of the beams A, while the other end E of the strap or bar extends slightly downward. This end is provided with a hole adapted to receive one end of a wire or rod F. A series oi' these rods are thus secured to the beams A and passed through the holes I) in the auxiliary beams B, and their opposite ends are similarly connected to another beam A.

The number ot' the wires F may be such as the circumstances of each case require. The auxiliary beams B and the wires F are then embedded in concrete, as shown in Fig. 2. The peculiar shape of the auxiliary beamsB insures a thorough hold of the concrete thereon, as the concrete fills the concave sides of the beam and cannot be forced out of the same unless entirely broken up. The wires F, passing through the concrete, bind the concrete thoroughly together and prevent its breaking up except under extremely severe use. The auxiliary beams B may be placed very close together if greater strength is needed. These beams are also supported intermediate their ends by the rods F.

The ceiling, where separate ceiling is required, is constructed similarly to the flooring just described. In this case the hangers C' consist of plates which have holes cut therein to receive the ends of the auxiliary beams B. The ends of these plates are bent over upon the lower iange of the beams A A', as shown in Fig. 4. The hole for the auxiliary beam is then at the end ot' the hanger, where the beam may be inserted, as is indicated in Fig. 4.

The auxiliary beam is of the same structure as that described for the floor construction. It may, however, be ot' a lighter section, as the weight supported thereby is much less. As shown in Fig. 4, the end of the beam has been reduced in width in order that it may not project too far below the beam A. An end view of the hanger before the ends have been bent down is shown in Fig. 5.

The rods F may be inserted in the ceiling in the manner previously described. This method of construction carries the entire weight of the door and ceiling, together with their load, upon the beams by means of suspension devices. The construction is not in any sense an arch, and consequently does not produce the side thrust of an arch against the door-beams.

The entire body of the floor is bound thoroughly together by the beams and rods, so that it will not fall even if cracked by a severe blow. Any suitable floor-surface, as the boards I-I, may be placed on top ofthe concrete D3. This, however, forms no part of my present invention.

The auxiliary beams B described have many advantages over the ordinary form, as they may be cheaply constructed ot iat plate metal, and the parts are well disposed to resist the strain, similarly to an I-beam. The auxiliary beams are also valuable where they are embedded in concrete or similar material, as they furnish good points for the engagement of the same. Like an I-beam the auxiliary beam is stiit in all directions. It may be made of any size desired without requiring special machinery for its manufacture.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A beam consisting of two plates each of which is curved outwardly at the top and bottom, and joined to each other with their convex sides toward the center, whereby an open space is left between said convex sides at the top and bottom of the beam, the said beam being provided with a series of holes passing through its central web, substantially as described.

2. A beam consisting of two plates each of which is curved outwardly at the top and bottom, and a third flat plate of less width than the curved plates and interposed between the same, the said plates being joined together with the convex sides of the outer plates resting against the center plate, whereby an open space is left between the convex sides of the outer plates at the top and bottom of the beam, the said beam being provided with a series of holes passing through its central web, substantially as described.

3. A fireproof-tloor construction for steelframe structures, comprising hangers consisting of flat strips hooked at one end and adapted to pass over the top of the floor-beams and engage one side edge of the flange thereof, the opposite ends of the said strips being bent downward,auxiliary beams supported at their ends by cross-beams and provided with a series of holes passing through their central web, and wires fastened to the downwardlybent ends of the said strips and extending through the holes in the webs of the auxiliary beams, substantially as described;

4. A reproof-tloor construction for steel buildings, comprising strips hooked at one end and adapted to pass over the top of the Hoor-beams and engage one side edge thereof, wires extending from beam to beam and fastened to the opposite ends of said strips, and auxiliary cross-beams having holes through their webs, through which said wires pass, substantially as described.

5.v A reproof-loor construction for steelframe buildings, comprising tiles having rods secured therein and extending upward IOO IIO

through the body of the tile and projecting therefrom, the ends of said rods being arranged to extend over the top of the floorbeams and formed with hooks to engage the opposite side edges of the beams, whereby the said rods serve as hangers to support the tiles from the beams, substantially as described.

6. A iireproof construction for steel-frame buildings, comprising tiles adapted to iit the sides of a oor-beam and formed with shoulders arranged to rest upon the lower flange of the beam, the said tiles each having a rod secured therein and projecting from one side, the ends of the rods being adapted to pass over the top of the iioor-beams and engage the opposite side edges thereof, substantially as described.

7. A fireproof-Iioor construction for steel- .frame buildings, comprising tiles adapted to fit the sides of a floor-beam and having their lower ends depending belowT said beam, the said tiles being formed wit-h shoulders to rest inclined to iit between said depending portions of the iirst-mentioned tiles, means for locking the tiles together, and suspending rods embedded in the said tiles and having their upper ends projecting and adapted to engagethe top of the floor-beam, substantially as described.

8. A fireproof-iioor construction for steelframe buildings, comprising tiles adapted to fit the side of a floor-beam and having their lower ends depending below said beam, the inner surface of said depending portions inclining inward,tiles having two opposite edges inclined to fit said depending portions, one of said tiles having a longitudinal plate embedded therein with its edge projecting and the other having a groove to iit over said edge, substantially as described.

9. A ireproof-iioor construction for steelframe buildings, comprising tiles adapted to iit the side of a fioor-beam, and having their lower ends depending below said beam, the inner surfaces of said depending portions inclining inward, tiles having opposite edges inclined to iit said depending portions, a longitudinal plate entering the body of both tiles to form alock, and suspending rods embedded in the said tiles with their upper ends projecting and adapted to fit over the top of Ithe floorbeams andy engage the'opposite side edg thereof, substantially as described.

10. A fireproof construction for steel-frame.

cent beams, said auxiliary beams having a se ries of holes through their webs, wires or rods passing through said holes and connected to the main floor-beams, and concrete or similar material between and surrounding said auxiliary beams and wires, substantially as described.

12. A fireproof construction for buildings, consisting of flat strips hooked at one end and adapted to pass over the top of the iioor-beams and engage one side edge thereof, the opposite ends of the said strips being bent downward, hangers suspended from the crossbeams, auxiliary beams whose ends enter said hangers and extending between adjacent beams, said auxiliary beams having a series of holes through their webs, wires extending from beam to beam and fastened to the downwardly-bent ends of the said flat strips, the said wires passing through the holes in the auxiliary beams, and concrete or similar material between and surrounding said auxiliary beams and wires, substantially as described.

13. A reproof construction for buildings, comprising tiles adapted to fit the sides of a floor-beam, each of said tiles being provided with a rod extending longitudinally of the same, and a second rod connected with the irst rod and extending upward through the body of the tile and projecting therefrom, the projecting ends of the said rods being arranged to extend over the top of the floorbeam and engage the side edges thereof, substantially as described.

FRANCIS OMEIS.

Witnesses SAMUEL WILKINSON, EDWARD BURNS.

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